Keira Knightley calls for ringfenced mental health funding

October 12, 2018

Keira Knightley has called for better help for children and young mothers struggling with their mental health.

The award-winning actor told the BBClast week that she struggled with mental health problems at age 22, suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during her rise to fame.

Knightley said: ‘Everybody, no matter who you are, has a tricky time in your life.’

Speaking to Natalie Jamieson for BBC Radio 5 live, Knightley said: ‘There should be help for children with mental health issues, there should be help for young mothers with mental health issues.’ Adding that mental health funding should be ringfenced, the BBC reports.

The King’s Fundhas produced data that shows significant cuts to the mental health trusts who provide 80% of all mental health care. Figures from 2013/14 and 2014/15 reveal that approximately ‘40% of mental health trusts continued to experience year on year cuts to their budgets.’

The University of Bristol launches ‘science of happiness’ scheme

The University of Bristol has launched a 10-week course to help students better understand ‘what happiness is.’

According to the BBC, 95% of universities have seen a dramatic increase in the number of students trying to access support services.

Bristol University is using its ‘pioneering’ course to combat the growing issue. The scheme aims to demonstrate what happiness is, how to achieve it, as well as teaching student practical steps to use in every day.

The ‘science of happiness’ scheme comes after the university successfully introduced an opt-in scheme, allowing parents to be informed if their child’s mental health is suffering.

Bristol University’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Judith Squires, said the course is open to all students, not just those ‘having challenges with their well-being.’

Squires adds: ‘Ultimately, the aim of this course is to give students a greater understanding of what happiness is and how the human mind often sabotages happiness.’

‘We hope it will be hugely beneficial to our students, not just during their time at university but throughout their lives.’